Interior Designer Christine Markatos Lowe Reveals Inspiration

Christine Markatos Design, a residential design studio founded in 2005, joins modern and classical influences with a fresh mixture of pattern, color and texture. Markatos Lowe uses vibrant yet neutral palettes, natural materials and striking art to make her work stand out. She also uses her clients’ actual lifestyles as inspiration when designing a space.

Markatos Lowe’s work spans the nation with major projects in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hawaii. We spoke with Markatos Lowe about her inspiration behind some of these major projects. Here’s what she had to say:

Brentwood 1920’s Georgian

Santa Monica, California

“We wanted to create a multipurpose space for the kids to do their homework, play and feel creatively inspired. It began with a unisex color palette and we mixed in pattern and texture from the funky music-themed wallpaper to the crayon striped romans, all in kid friendly materials.”

Four Seasons Hawaii Beach House

Big Island, Hawaii

“The natural elements and surrounds of this tropical home really informed the design when creating this soft Zen-like space. The exterior tiled walls echo the pattern of the lava rock wall outside and the interior glass walls resemble bamboo, relating to the South-East Asian elements that serve as inspiration throughout the interior design of the home.”

Santa Monica Colonial

Santa Monica, California

“Inspired by images of the Brighton Pavilion, I wanted to create an exotic indoor garden feel for this dining room. 1920’s rattan chairs, sun-faded mahogany pieces and Indian motifs on the rug and curtains set the stage for dinner parties that feel like summer all year round.”

Brentwood 1920’s Georgian

Los Angeles, California

“The overall goal for this project was to create a home that harnessed the energy of the kids living there, so even in the Living Room — typically the most formal room of the home — we infused the space with bold colors and playful geometric patterns.”